American Football: Redskins fire Petitbon as the Falcons fire Glanville

THE high cost of failure in the NFL was brought home to two head coaches yesterday when they were fired by the Washington Redskins and the Atlanta Falcons just a day after the end of the regular season.

Richie Petitbon was sacked after the Redskins finished with a 4-12 record, their worst in three decades. Jerry Glanville's return with the Falcons this year was slightly better at 6-12, but he too was shown the door. Petitbon had been the Redskins defensive co-ordinator since 1978, but was given just 12 months in the head coach's position. Glanville was in charge of the Falcons for four years.

Norv Turner, the offensive co-ordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, could be a candidate for both vacant positions. The Redskins are thought to be making soundings, and the Cowboys are expected to allow him to consider offers in the fortnight before their first play-off game.

Alternatively the Redskins could try and persuade Joe Gibbs, who coached them with great success from 1981 until his retirement a year ago, to return to his old job.